LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

June 13, 2014

My name is Lisa Buchanan. My sister Leah Scott has worked at the Robert Bycroft Sheltered Workshop- EDI South for over 22 years. This job gives her a great sense of self-worth and pride. It continues to provide her with an opportunity to feel important in the community by allowing her to earn a paycheck and work every day, while still making a contribution despite her disabilities.

I just found out on June 5 that the CCBDD is merging EDI Central and EDI South - closing the EDI South facility. It seems to me that the board went behind our backs and made this decision. They did this without taking into consideration how much this change will impact all of the clients, caregivers, families and employees of EDI South. I strongly feel that our families should have been notified and our concerns addressed before such a drastic decision like this was made.

My sister will no longer be able to do the one thing that gives her so much joy and pride, not to mention the only social outlet she has in her life, if this location closes. I will not be able to transport her back and forth to EDI Central everyday, nor can she ride the bus for such an extended length of time due to her limited mobility.

I would also like to point out how difficult a change like this can be on someone who is mentally disabled. A change in a routine that has been the same for so many years can cause serious behaviors, as well as unnecessary stress and anxiety for a person with developmental disabilities.

I sincerely hope that the board of CCBDD will listen to the concerns of the many caregivers and family members and decide to keep EDI South open so that our loved ones can continue to feel self worth and accomplishment regularly, as every human being should.